Can't Install Windows 2008 R2 Foundation on a HP ML110 G7

This is my first ML110 G7 server install, although I have installed about 50 G5 and G6 servers in the past so I am familiar with the general process used.

This is a brand new ML110 G7 server straight from the box, with the supplied 2GB of RAM and the basic 250GB HD. I have thrown in 2x 1TB Seagates to be used in a RAID1 for data storage and I will eventually load it with 8GB of RAM. I have turned the integrated B110i RAID controller on in the BIOS and configured a RAID0 with the single 250GB drive, and a RAID1 with the 2 1TB drives. The problem I have is that the supplied SmartStart CD didn't include an option for unbranded Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation (while not avaliable off the shelf, the disc I have here is from the Microsoft Partner Network) and in this suitation I would load Windows straight from the Windows disc and install the SATA drivers from a USB stick when Windows asks for them.

I downloaded these drivers here (the embedded SATA drivers) and while Windows seen these as the correct drivers for the controller it keeps giving me the follwing error when selecting either drive to install it on "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition". Some people have suggested removing all drives apart from the one you want to install on, but this still hasn't worked.

Have you tried downloading the newest version of the SmartStart cd from the HP website. Every smartstart CD I Have tried has had the option to install both HP Branded and Retail media.

Since you are installing 2008 R2 I am assuming that you are using 64 bit. I have been using smartstart 8.60 X64 and this definitely has the option for branded and unbranded. Im sure by now they have a newer version out I would start there.

You will have issues galore trying this without the SmartStart disk, as xxdcmast has suggested. HP will offer free support for OS installation on new machines. As "cop out-ish" as it sounds, I have had to use them a couple times on some less-than-cooperative systems with very good results. Each time it was a slightly different solution, so an all-inclusive answer is not readily available.

Unfortunately, the problem I have is that I'm trying to install a copy of Server 2008 R2 Foundation from the Microsoft Partner Network. In the SmartStart 64bit disk there is both HP and Retail options as you say, but the R2 Foundation option only appears under HP branded and not under retail. It will not recognize my Partner Network CD. I'm downloading the latest version as I write this to give that a try, and I might give the latest BIOS a whirl too.

At the moment I have opened a case with HP support who have admitted that there is a issue with their drivers under 2008 R2 when installing using this method.

Possible fixes for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 updating problem. Solutions mentioned are from Microsoft themselves. I started a case with them from our Microsoft Silver Partner option to open a case and get direct support from Microsoft.
If s…

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